Kevin M. Hale Award for best Historical Newsletter in New Jersey June 11, 2020 The Civil War: April 12, 1861 - August 20, 1866 “The Federal Bridging Operation at Fredericksburg” Pontoons shore where he had previously expected to cross unop- posed. Bobby Jorgensen works in Robert Jorgensen the financial services indus- try in New York City. Prior to joining the banking world he served as a combat engi- neer officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he participated in a number of gap crossing operations. He still serves today as a Major in the Marine Corps Reserve. Join us at 7:15 PM on Thursday, May 14 on Zoom. This Special ZOOMcast: month’s topic is “The Federal Bridging Operation at Monday, June 29, 7pm. Fredericksburg” Richard R. Schaus on "Lee Is December 1862 found Union Major General Ambrose Trapped, and Must Be Taken: Elev- Burnside's winter campaign in Virginia stalled and at en Fateful Days After Gettysburg, risk. Expanding upon a campaign plan he had origi- July 4 - 14, 1863”. nally proposed to his predecessor, Burnside had set off Winner of the 2017 Edwin C. on a campaign to outmaneuver the Army of Northern Bearss Scholarly Research Award, Virginia en route to Richmond. Key to this advance was and the 2019 Hugh G. Earnhart securing the city of Fredericksburg. Initially Burnside Civil War Scholarship Award from had stolen a march on his adversary and arrived on the the Mahoning Valley Civil War outskirts of the city unopposed. However, as November Round Table. Richard R. Schaus turned to December, logistical delays combined with unfa- vorable topographic and meteorological conditions to “Lee is Trapped”, by Thomas J. Ryan and Richard R. delay Burnside’s army on the northeastern bank of the Schaus, focuses on the immediate aftermath of the battle Rappahannock River while the Army of Northern Virginia and addresses how Maj. Gen. George G. Meade organized began concentrating on the opposite bank and around the and motivated his Army of the Potomac in response to city. With the elements of speed and surprise no longer President Abraham Lincoln’s mandate to bring about the on his side, Burnside began modifying his campaign plan “literal or substantial destruction” of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s to include a deliberate river crossing onto an enemy held Continued on page 2 Notes from the President Page 2 • Today in Civil War History Page 2 • New Board Member Page 3 Tradition Continues Page 3 • To Much for Human Endurance Page 3 Pennsylvania Reserves Page 5 • Battle of Williamsburg Page 8 • Battle of Big Bethel Page 10 New Recruit Page 11 • Events Page 11 • 2020 Speaker Schedule Page 12 retreating Army of Northern Virginia. As far as the presi- dent was concerned, if Meade aggressively pursued and Today in Civil War History confronted Lee before he could escape across the flooded Potomac River, “the rebellion would be over.” Richard R. Schaus,, Sergeant Major, US Army (Ret.), 1861 Tuesday, June 11 served on active duty for more than 30 years in a variety of army and joint military intelligence assignments both at The North home and abroad. Rick is a lifelong student of the Civil War In western Virginia anti-secessionist counties set up a pro- and American military history, and the Gettysburg Cam- Union state government, which is recognized as such by paign in particular. Washington. Eastern Theater In a skirmish at Romney, two Confederates are killed in a fight with the llth Indiana Regiment, who have a single, non- Notes from the President... fatal casualty. As we enter our third month of time apart, we long for some baseball and time out of the house. Want to thank Trans-Mississippi everyone for their continued support of our Round Table Nathaniel Lyon, now brigadier-general commanding the and its programs. Thank you to all who shared their feed- Department of the West, meets the pro-Southern Governor back with us on our Zoom presentations and your vision Claiborne Jackson of Missouri and militia Major-General of the Fall. The Board will review the information from the Sterling Price. They try to persuade Lyon that the state is survey and develop a plan for our near future. neutral and should not have United States troops quartered With the College being closed and distancing rules in place, in or passing through the state. Lyon, however, knows that our summer meetings will be held on Zoom. Dave Gilson Jackson and Price have organized a State Guard in se- has supplemented our time by scheduling an extra presen- cret for their own secessionist purposes. But even had he tation each month. Check the schedule on the last page to wanted to, Lyon can not accept their demands since, even see our upcoming presentations. It was great when Don by holding itself neutral, Missouri is taking a secessionist Wiles joined us for the John Quarstein event, giving us stance. Meanwhile, a Confederate force under the noted folks on the broadcast from six states. Several members Texas ranger Ben McCulloch has crossed the southern have also been tuning into the CWRT Congress lectures boundary of the state and is heading toward Springfield. offered each week. The Congress is planning to come to Blackwood next September when it returns to a live meet- 1862 Wednesday, June 11 ing. Last month at our meeting, Drew Gruber wowed the mem- Western Theater bers with the story of the Battle of Williamsburg with the In an action at Monterey in Owen County, Kentucky, Cap- New Jersey troops and an update on our Civil War Trails tain Blood's Mounted Provost Guard, together with a battery sign project. It was good to see Steve Wright and Bill of Indiana artillery, capture 100 rebels. Holdsworth on-line with our guests. We made a donation to the Battlefield Trust to preserve the land Drew mentioned 1863 Thursday, June 11 to us about during his presentation. Later in the month John Quarstein told us about the Battle of Big Bethel. The North John will be one of the presenters at our Western Theater Ohio Democrats nominate Clement Vallandigham for gov- Symposium next May. ernor. Their candidate, already weary of life with his Confed- erate allies, has now gone into exile in Canada. This month Robert Jorgensen will enlighten us on the “The Federal Bridging Operation at Fredericksburg” on our Eastern Theater meeting night. Later in the month on the 29th, Richard Hooker, who had won command of the Army of the Poto- Schaus will share his research from his book on the eleven mac by assiduously criticizing his fellow officers, now re- days after the Battle of Gettysburg. A side note, our own ceives the same treatment. The army’s senior commanders web master Hal Jespersen prepared the maps for the jostle to unseat him. book. Plan on joining us for these two presentations. Tune in early and greet your fellow members and guests. Western Theater A cool and pleasant break in the weather at Vicksburg is Welcome to new member Richard Bennet, we look for- spoiled for the Confederates by the arrival of two 10-inch ward to seeing at our meeting. Thank you to all who sent Columbiads within 100 yards of the rebel trenches. Union Don Wiles book reviews and notes on what you are doing guns now bombard the city daily, and many citizens livc an during this period to pass the time. It was good to see underground existence in caves where they are safe from Harry Jenkins and Jim Heenehan along with Debbie the shelling. and Bill Holdsworth at the wreath laying at the Hancock tomb. See the photos in this newsletter. Continue to support local restaurants by ordering take out before our 1864 Saturday, June 11 meeting on the 11th... Happy Father’s Day to our fathers and grandfathers. Please continue to be safe, get sun- Eastern Theater shine each day and join us on-line so we can see your Sheridan’s cavalry, on its way to join Hunter’s forces in the smiling face. Shenandoah, finds the way blocked by Fitzhugh Lee and Rich Jankowski, President Wade Hampton’s Confederate cavalry. The battle which fol- Continued on page 3 2 Continued from page 2 - "Today in the Civil War" lows at Trevilian Station is indecisive. George A. Custer has tomb where we were joined a narrow escape when he unknowingly drives his brigade be- by Jim Heenehan and Har- tween the two Confederate forces. His wagons and colored ry Jenkins. After a brief cook Eliza are captured, but the girl, called the “Queen of talk by Bill about Hancock, Sheba” by his soldiers, escapes, bringing Custer’s valise Harry and Jim placed with her. Sheridan learns that Hunter is not at Charlottesville the wreath in front of the where he was expected, but at Lexington where he burns tomb. Everyone posed for down the Virginia Military Institute. a distance photo with the wreath. Once again Debbie 1865 Sunday, June 11 had the best wreath at the cemetery. A representa- tive from the Montgomery Far West Historical Society open the The news of the Sand Creek massacre reached the Sioux gate house so we could and Cheyenne wintering around the headwaters of the Pow- use the rest room before der River in March. There was no doubt about their immedi- departing the cemetery. All ate hostility but the attitude of the 2000 or so “friendly” in attendance agreed it was Indians near Fort Laramie remained unknown. By order of good to get out for a worthwhile purpose. Secretary of War Stanton, they were regarded as prisoners and were being shepherded toward Fort Kearny when rival The Old Baldy connection to the Hancock tomb dates back Indian factions came to blows.